Training camp is here and that means position battles. Who will be in the slot, who will play right guard? Who will play the nickel position? Those are the position battles that everyone is looking at. One of the least talked about but, arguably, the most competitive battle will be between the kickers. Veteran Cairo Santos and rookie fifth-round draft pick Matt Gay look to square off in a training camp battle for the right to put toe to leather for the Buccaneers this season.
Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians handed the stage to Santos on the first day of training camp. The first Brazilian-born player in the NFL, he didn’t disappoint yesterday making eight straight kicks before missing a 55-yarder wide right. Not bad for the seven-year veteran out of Tulane.
Saturday, the rookie Matt Gay will get his shot. The fifth-round pick out of the University of Utah is known for his “cannon-like” leg. Let’s hope he does just as well if not better than Santos.
While a kicking battle might not be the sexiest training camp battle to watch, it is an important one. Especially when considering the Buccaneers kicking game in recent years.
